Franklin Matters

Monday, May 25, 2015

DelCarte Playground closed, trails wide open

The playground at DelCarte is closed for repairs. Apparently the winter weather created some separation on the support structures that is being checked out and repaired before the playground will be open.

We regret to inform you that the DelCarte Playground is not safe to use at this time and will be closed for repairs until further notice.

Thank You for your patience!

there is a searation in the support columns that needs to be checked

there is a separation in the support columns that needs to be checked

another view of the closed playground

However, the trails are wide open and ready for you to explore! These photos were taken at the beginning of the month. By now, the leaves have fully broken out to create the green canopy.

along the waterside on one trail

at one of the dams

the new floating bridge allows for a complete trail loop

Photos from the official opening June 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/delcarte-opening-day-photo-essay.html

photos from October 2013 (playground under construction)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-open-space-photo-essay.html

video from December 2012
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video.html

Distinguished Young Women - Performance Show - May 31

PLEASE JOIN US AT OUR PERFORMANCE SHOW

Sunday May 31. 2015 6pm

The Black Box 15 W. Central Street Franklin MA

Tickets $18 Adults, $12 Students

All Proceeds go Directly towards the DYW scholarships

Additional information on DYW can be found on their webpage

http://distinguishedyw.org/programs/state_n_local_programs/massachusetts/local_programs/franklin/

“The Father of American Education"

The Town Council has named seven residents to serve on a committee to oversee the building of a sculpture and small park on the corner of Emmons Street.

Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri, Charles Oteri, state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, Historical Commission member Mary Olsson, Lisa Piana, council member Robert Dellorco and council member Tom Mercer will together draft the plans for a sculpture depicting Horace Mann, an education reformer born on a small farm in Franklin in 1796.

The statue and humble park surrounding it were decided on during the negotiations last year to sell the town-owned property at 150 Emmons St. When Franklin developer Roger Calarese purchased the property in January, he agreed to grant the town a roughly 1,000 square-foot easement at the front of the parcel.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150525/NEWS/150527764/1994/NEWS

The space for the proposed statue would be at the corner of Emmons and West Central St.

proposed location of Horace Mann statue

Franklin has a completed P&S agreement with a closing date in November to sell the property to developer Roger Calarese. Approx 1,000 sq. ft. will be reserved in an easement as greenspace for the statue.

The complete set of notes from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday May 20th can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/new-videos-touting-franklin-previewed.html

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Friends of Franklin Library to fund the 2015 Summer Reading Program

A JPG copy of the letter from Library Director Felicia Oti to the Friends of Franklin Library is shown below. The body text has also be replicated for easier reading.

"We are delighted with the decision of the Friends of Franklin Library Board to fund the Library's entire request of $10,000 for the 2015 Summer Reading Program. The money has been deposited into an FOFL account and copies of invoices will be provided as expenditures are made.

Your generous gift will make it possible for the library to expand summer reading collections for all Franklin students and offer engaging and entertaining programs to the community. FOFL will receive the appropriate recognition in all promotional materials.

We are counting on your continued financial support for forthcoming library projects. Together we can strengthen the community by providing dynamic services and meaningful library experiences."

The JPG copy:

JPG copy of Letter to FOFL

Library sign announces movies for May 30 and May 31

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 28, 2015

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

Franklin Public Schools - "the key to learning"

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the May 12, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations

a. JF Kennedy Elementary School Update – Joan Toye, Ashley Bodkins
b. Oak Street Elementary School Update – Corine Minkle,Kathleen Gerber
c. School Wellness Advisory Council Update – Sally Winslow, Team.

3. Discussion Only Items

2015-2016 School Committee Meeting Calendar – DRAFT
2015-2016 School Calendar Consideration – Additional PD Safety Training.

4. Action Items
a. I recommend appointment of the Superintendent to the Board of Directors, Bi-County Collaborative.
b. I recommend appointment of the Superintendent to the Board of Directors, ACCEPT Collaborative.
c. I recommend approval of budget transfers as detailed.
d. I recommend approval of the request of Nancy Schoen for a recurring field trip to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH on June
12, 2015 with middle school music students as detailed.
e. I recommend the acceptance of three checks totaling $488.77 for in house enrichment at Franklin High School:

1. Great American Opportunities - $99.20
2. Chipotle Mexican Grill - $139.57 – Student Activity Account for Ultimate Frisbee Club
3. Norfolk DA – Operation Graduation, 2015 All Night Party – $250.00

f. I recommend acceptance of four checks totaling $4,000.00 for FHS Scholarships:

1. $1,000.00 - Peter A. Baglioni
2. $1,000.00 - Mr. & Mrs. Peter Coppola
3. $1,000.00 - Franklin Country Club
4. $1,000.00 - Friends of the Franklin Library

g. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $3,148.50 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips.
h. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,320.00 for district wide in-house enrichment:

1. Franklin Music Boosters - $1,100.00
2. BJ’s Wholesale Club - $220.00

i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $362.08 from the Davis Thayer PCC for Supplemental Curriculum Materials.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Personnel Update

8. Adjourn

Memorial Day - Parade Schedule and Route

Thanks to Councilor Matt Kelly for providing the updates to share.

Memorial Cemetary Visits before the Parade

Memorial Day 2015 - Schedule

Parade Route:

The 2015 Memorial Day Parade route will begin at the Franklin Fire Station and proceed up Main St to Church St. The parade will no longer go down School St, Union St, or Beaver St. The parade will not stop at Union St or St Mary's Cemetery's (Ceremonies at both locations are scheduled to occur before the parade itself.)

Please see the update Parade Route.

Memorial Day 2015 - Parade Route

Parade Information:

Date: Monday, May 25, 2015

Muster: 10am -10:15am
- Group leaders must check in at the Franklin Historical Museum "Hats Off to Franklin" statue

Parade: 10:45 am

Ceremony: 12noon at the Franklin Town Common

You can download and print this one page schedule and map

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZzd0dWQycWtoejhTbWhpRDdTcm53aC12QTI0/view?usp=sharing

Information on the 2015 parade was posted here on May 6th
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/2015-memorial-day-parade-information.html

honor guard from 2014 Memorial Day Parade

FHS Baseball tops Natick; FHS Softball splits with Abington

Franklin baseball topped Natick and softball splits a double header with Abington in Hockomock League action on Saturday. Hockmock Sports reports the results which we can share here.

FHS Panthers

Baseball

Franklin, 8 @ Natick, 4 - Final

- Franklin punched its ticket to the postseason with the win. Zane Byrne got the win on the mound, tossing a complete game with three strikeouts with just two earned runs. At the plate, Nick Burgos had two RBI and two runs scored, Nick Santucci had a two-run triple, Ant Chaiton was 2-4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI, Kyle Skidmore went 2-3 with a double, Andrew Parent added a double with a run scored and Alex Bissanti had a hit and a run scored.

Softball

Franklin, 5 @ Abington, 7 - Final
Franklin, 6 @ Abington 4 - Final

For the remiainder of the Hockomock League action on Saturday, check this link
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-052315

US Flag Code - how to properly display

To share information on the US Flag Code you can find a readable version here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Flag_Code

and the US House version here
http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title4&edition=prelim

and the US Senate version here
http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf

Note: the versions differ in the presentation of the information. Technically, they are all the same US Law. It is also worth noting that while it is a law

failure to comply with it is not enforced and the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that punitive enforcement would conflict with the First Amendment right to freedom of speech.^[2]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Flag_Code

Why share the info now?
Given the presence of so many flags for Memorial Day, it is also apparent not everyone knows the proper protocol for the display of our US flag.

flag flying midday at Pisani Field, Peck St

Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset, although the Flag Code permits night time display "when a patriotic effect is desired" and the flag is illuminated.^[17] Similarly, the flag should be displayed only when the weather is fair, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.^[18]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Flag_Code

flag flying at sundown at Pisani Field, Peck St

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Honor Massachusetts Veterans This Memorial Day

There are more than 40 parades around MA this Memorial Day. Oddly, the Franklin parade is not listed so there may be well more than the 40 listed.

There are more than 40 Memorial Day parades scheduled this year in cities and towns across Massachusetts. Check with your municipality or the sponsor that organizes the parade in your area for start times and routes.

If you make your way to Boston, there is a flag garden set up on the Boston Common. 37,000 flags are set up to commemorate the more than 37,000 who have died defending us from the Revoluntionary War though the present conflicts.

I work in downtown Boston now so I managed to have lunch at the Public Garden and include a stop by the Common to take these photos on Friday.

The flag garden is supposed to remain up through the weekend. I expect they would take it down no earlier than Tuesday.

flag garden - view 1

flag garden - view 2

flag garden - view 3

flag garden - view 4

flag garden - view 5

The MA Gov blog posting provides listing of other Memorial Day events
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/living-in-massachusetts/honor-massachusetts-veterans-this-memorial-day/

Door to door solicitation notice

If you heard the Councilor Comments section of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, you heard discussion about some solicitations being done after 8:00 PM. Franklin has posted this notice as a reminder on the policy for solicitations.

SOLICITORS

With the coming of better weather, the Police Department is beginning to receive applications for door to door solicitation.

The Town Code (Chapter 128) allows permitted solicitors to solicit door to door from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. They cannot enter or remain on private property that is posted no soliciting or if they are told to leave the property by person in charge of property.

Never open your door to strangers. Ask for proper identification; they must carry and present identification when asked. If in doubt, please call the Franklin Police Department, 1-508-528-1212, and the police will send an officer to check on the subjects’ credentials. If you feel threatened in anyway, call 911.

Persons engaged solely in political or religious advocacy or discussion (not soliciting funds) are not subject to the Town Code, however residents have a legal right to refuse such overtures and to request that the solicitor leave. As above if you feel threatened in any way, please call 911. You can also preempt solicitation of these groups by posting a “no solicitation” notice on your property.

Franklin Municipal Building

For the details on the Town Code (Chapter 128) this link should take you directly there
http://ecode360.com/10433859?highlight=solicitation,soliciting#10433859

This was shared from the official Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/020EA964-000F8513

Franklin Downtown Partnerhsip - Strawberry Festival - June 11

Strawberries!

and short cake

Oh my!

Franklin Downtown Partnerhsip - Strawberry Festival - June 11

For additional information on the Strawberry Festival pay attention here or to the Franklin Downtown Partnership page http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

FHS Spring Track Championship Results - 2015

The Franklin High School boys finished 8th and the girls finished 6th overall in the Hockomock League Spring Track Chamionships held this week. From the top five finishers in each event, I pulled the Franklin names to share here. At the bottom of the listing is the link to Hockomock Sports and the listing of the complete results.

FHS Panthers

Franklin boys who finished in the top 5

100M - 3. Logan Mitchell, Franklin (11.46)

200M - 2. Logan Mitchell, Franklin (22.88)

1 Mile - 5. Ryan Spelman, Franklin (4:38.61)

4x800 Relay - 4. Franklin (Dominic Giardini, Jimmy Robbins, Francis Olsson, Ryan Spelman) - 8:44.59

Franklin girls who finished in the top 5

100M - 3. Jessica Kroushl, Franklin (12.80)

400M - 4. Elaina Rebello, Franklin (61.81)

800M - 5. Brittany Robinson, Franklin (2:27.02)

1 Mile - 3. Nicole Clermont, Franklin (5:24.42)

400M Hurdles - 5. Katherine Hartnett, Franklin (71.33)

4x400 Relay - 4. Franklin (Elaina Rebello, Ashley Jacques, Brianna Cummings, Jessica Kroushl) - 4:15.15

4x800 Relay - 2. Franklin (Brittany Robinson, Meghan Doherty, Nicole Clermont, Katherine Hartnett) - 10:07.72

Javelin - 5. Nikisha Falcone, Franklin - 107-09

Long Jump - 4. Jessica Kroushl, Franklin - 16-09.50

Triple Jump - 4. Beth Neal, Franklin - 33-11.50

For the full Hockomock League Championship results
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/2015-hockomock-spring-track-championship-results

Friday, May 22, 2015

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 5/22/15 - THU 5/28/15

FRI 5/22 8-9am Rep Roy Office Hour at Elizabeth’s Bagels
FRI 5/22 6:30pm Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center
FRI 5/22 8-9:50pm Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena

MON 5/25 10:45am-12:15pm Franklin’s Memorial Day Parade

WED 5/27 6-8pm Kindergarten Info Night at Oak Elementary

THU 5/28 3:30pm iStories at Franklin Public Library
THU 5/28 6-8pm Kindergarten Info Night at Jefferson Elementary
THU 5/28 6:30-7:30pm Genealogy Club at Franklin Public Library

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Franklin Public Library Renovation/Addition Survey

Please assist the Library Board by prioritizing your choices for the upcoming library renovation/addition project. Thank you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FSTYHj7o65UIZOXQBB3KQIIOX-xF5uG0qeuMRs0wJUI/viewform

Franklin Public Library

This was shared from the Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/05/please-assist-library-board-by-taking.html

Tri-County Reg Voc Technical High Sschool Valedictorian Receives $80,000 Scholarship To WPI

Tri-County RVTHS senior Laura Auerbach, of Franklin, has been awarded the $80,000 Worcester Polytechnic Institute FRC New England District Championship Scholarship.

The scholarship is awarded annually to one high school senior who is an active participant on a First Robotics team competing in one of the New England District Tournaments. An adult leader on each team can nominate one student for the scholarship. Auerbach will receive $20,000 per year for four years of undergraduate study at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Tri-County senior Laura Auerbach stands alongside Superintendent-Director Stephen Dockray

Laura, a student in Tri-County’s Engineering Technology Program, achieved a weighted GPA of 4.54 and is the Valedictorian of the Class of 2015. With an academic schedule that included Advanced Placement Calculus, Language and Composition, and Physics, Auerbach still found the time to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities. During her four years at Tri-County, Laura participated in Junior Varsity Basketball, Varsity Track, Math Team, First Robotics, NASA’s HUNCH Program, SkillsUSA and National Honor Society.

In addition to an already lengthy roster of extracurricular activities, Laura took on a number of leadership roles. She was captain of the Varsity Soccer team for two years and was one of two students selected to represent Tri-County as part of the Congressional Youth Cabinet for the 4th Congressional District formed by U.S. Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III in 2013.

In December, Laura was selected as the 2015 recipient of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Certificate of Academic Excellence. The certificate is awarded each year to a student of excellent academic standing who has made significant contributions to the Tri-County community.

Laura plans to major in Mechanical Engineering in college and later pursue a Master’s Degree in Biochemical Engineering.

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING - Thursday, May 28, 2015 7:00pm

LEGAL NOTICE

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

ENERGY FACILITIES SITING BOARD

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD BY MASSACHUSETTS

ENERGY FACILITIES SITING BOARD STAFF REGARDING PROPOSED

NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION IN NORFOLK, PLYMOUTH, AND

BRISTOL COUNTRIES, MASSACHUSETTS

Algonquin Gas Transmission, L.L.C.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Docket No.: PF15-12-000

Notice is hereby given that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) has entered into a Pre-Filing review of Algonquin Gas Transmission, L.L.C.’s (“Algonquin”) Atlantic Bridge Project (“Project”). FERC will prepare an Environmental Assessment (“EA”) to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). The EA will be used by FERC to consider the environmental impacts that could result if it authorizes the Project by issuing a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity under the Natural Gas Act. The
Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (“EFSB”) will begin its environmental review of the proposed Project and provide input to FERC in conjunction with the Pre-Filing Process.

The Project consists of the expansion of Algonquin’s natural gas facilities in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The portion of the Project to be located in Massachusetts would consist of approximately 3.5 miles of new 30-inch pipeline in Medway, Bellingham, and Franklin. In addition to the pipeline facilities, the Company would construct a new 7,700 horsepower gas-fired compressor station in Weymouth. The Company would also modify a regulator station in Needham, and rebuild three existing metering and regulating (“M&R”) stations, two in Plymouth, and one in Fall River.

Additional information about the Project is available on the FERC Internet website (http://www.ferc.gov) using the “eLibrary” link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on “General Search,” and enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number field (i.e., PF15-12-000). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov. Alternatively, assistance is available by calling FERC at 1-202-502-8659 or 1-866-208-3676.

Public hearings that are designed to provide an opportunity to offer comments on the proposed Project have been scheduled in the Project area in Massachusetts. The EFSB will conduct these hearings as part of its responsibilities articulated at 980 Code of Massachusetts Regulation § 7.07(9). The two hearings will be held as follows:

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

7:00 p.m.

Abigail Adams Middle School Auditorium

89 Middle Street East

Weymouth, Massachusetts 02189

Thursday, May 28, 2015

7:00 p.m.

Town of Franklin Municipal Building

Council Chambers, 2nd Floor

355 East Central Street

Franklin, Massachusetts 02038

Interested persons are invited to attend these hearings. Written comments will be accepted at the public hearings. Written comments may also be sent by email or by mail delivery service to the EFSB at the address below; written comments must be received no later than June 5, 2015.

Robert Shea, Presiding Officer
Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board
One South Station
Boston, MA 02110
Robert.J.Shea@state.ma.us

Based on its environmental review, including public input, the EFSB will provide its comments and transmit the comments it receives from the public to the FERC.

a sign truck parked outside the information night at Keller School in March 2015

FHS baseball tops Lincoln-Sudbury

From Hockomock Sports we find and share the results of Thursday's action around the Hockomock League.

FHS Panthers

baseball
Franklin, 12 vs. Lincoln-Sudbury, 5 - Final

- Junior Nick Santucci went 2-3 and drove in five runs, including a grand slam, to spark the Panthers. Nick Burgos went 3-3, was on-base five times and scored three runs, Zane Byrne was 2-4 with a two-run home run and three RBI total, Tyler Gomes had a pair of hits with an RBI and Alex Bissanti was 1-3 with a pair of runs scored. Kyle Skidmore got the win in over five innings of work.

boys lacrosse
Franklin, 11 @ Dover-Sherborn, 12 - Final

Find all the results of Thursday's action
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-052115

Thursday, May 21, 2015

New videos touting Franklin previewed, more on the way to address opiate drug problem

Franklin will get to showcase itself with five new advertising videos. The five spots were viewed by the Town Council last night. The video spots run about 1:30 to 2:00 minutes each and tout the benefits of Franklin. The spots are meant to be used to advertise Franklin at conferences and such occasions.

The Horace Mann statue committee was created and the following members named to it: Debbie Pellegri, Charles Oteri, Jeff Roy, Mary Olsson, Lisa Piana, and Robert Dellorco. Tom Mercer was added to the previously published listing of committee members.

Three citizens spoke up about the proposed gas pipeline that is slated to be brought through Franklin. There is a Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board hearing scheduled for Thursday, May 28th at the Council Chambers.

Considerable time and discussion was spent on the opiate drug problem that Franklin is affected by along with many other communities in the Commonwealth. Police Chief Stephan Semerjian, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey, Representative Jeff Roy spoke of their efforts collaborating to address the growing issue. Among the new efforts to address this will be the formation of a coalition to bring together the many organizations that are affected by the problem. The students at Panther TV will be working with the Police Chief to develop some public service video announcements.

Police Chief Semerjian and his team address the Town Council

The Council approved of the purchase of 20 acres of land along Lincoln St to add to existing property already owned by Franklin and marked for open space. The purchase of this land by the open space funds would prevent the land from being re-purposed for a fire substation which caused Councilor Kelly to cast the only no vote. The measure passed 8-1.

My notes reported live during the meeting can be found here:

Open Mic Night at The Cake Bar

The 3rd Thursday of the month has rolled around again.

Thursday, May 21st is the THIRD THURSDAY of the month and that means it's Open Mic Night at the cake bar! Come show off your musical talent in a fun and intimate setting.

Sign up in advance for a guaranteed spot or walk in that night and check availability. Open Mic night is FREE and last month we had a variety of talented teen and adult performers.